This weekend our youth program had its annual in-town retreat called Ignite. Each year we have four sessions, each revolving around a central topic. Our annual Mission Conference Week happened to coincide with Ignite this time around, and therefore, the theme for this year's Ignite was "God's Invitation to an Adventure." We are called on an adventure for God. An adventure to "go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (Matt. 28:19). A call to be missionaries to everyone we meet, whether in our towns or in distant lands. One practical way we did this was through various service projects that occurred during Ignite.
The high school seniors were given the opportunity to visit Knox Area Rescue Ministries during Ignite weekend. For those who do not know, KARM is an organization dedicated to helping the homeless of Knoxville. They accomplish this through various activities, one of which is a recently constructed courtyard outside their main building. This courtyard gives the homeless a park atmosphere and a place to stay between meals. Setting up in the courtyard, we jumped right in serving cookies, handing out Bibles, and talking with the homeless.
Through the afternoon many conversations were had, but one that sticks out in my mind was a conversation my friend Abbie and I had with one man. As I wrapped up a dialogue with one man, I noticed Abbie conversing with a younger individual. Jumping into the conversation, we learned he was a twenty-five year old from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. During our discussion, we learned he had once been a promising hockey player, making it all the way to the minor leagues for the Pittsburgh Penguins. However, he became entangle in a drug addiction. He joined the Army, but the problem only progressed, leaving him in Knoxville. He was an open-minded individual, and was not afraid to tell us his struggle. He told us of his attempts at seeking help through numerous programs, such as detoxing and twelve-step programs. One twelve-step program he had visited claimed he needed a "higher power or religion" to get him through his addiction. Through this he decided to be a believer in most religions, taking an open-minded stance on every religion. As we listened to the man talk, one thing that struck me was his sound of hopelessness in his voice. He mentioned how he had heard from numerous doctors that addiction is not curable. It can only be suppressed, but will never go away. "If only I could stick with a program, then I could suppress my addiction" he told us. Continuing to explain his life story, we could hear the brokenness in his voice. Even though he openly admitted he did not believe in the Bible, Abbie and I told him of the love Jesus has for him, and that He died for everything, including addiction. As our time with the man ended, we left telling him we were praying that God would break his addiction and show him His love.
We claim a faith that brings hope. We claim a Gospel that brings freedom. However, to individuals such as this man their hope comes from what men say and do. This hope only leads to disappointment and regrets. The Gospel of Jesus, however, gives us hope. We are told in 2 Corinthians 3:17 that the Lord is our freedom. Through Jesus we have hope and freedom. Through Him our bondage and sin is broken, and we are given life anew. Jesus has the power to break every addiction, every struggle, every hurt. What this man sought for was hope that things would change. However, doctors, councilors, and accountability partners, cannot give him this hope. It is in Christ alone our hope is found. By accepting what Jesus did we are given a joy that is indescribable. We can defeat our sin, not by our doing, but by the One who lives in us.
As we left KARM and our new friends, I prayed that what Abbie and I had said would resound in this young man's mind. I pray we planted a seed that will start the wheels of his mind on a new path. A path of great hope, love, and joy. A path that begins and ends with Jesus Christ.
